The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific is set to take place at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur from March 3-5, 2025. This significant event is expected to draw over 500 participants from around the world and within India.
The forum, organized by the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, in collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, UN ESCAP, UNCRD, UNDSDG, and UNDESA, is supported by the Government of Rajasthan. The theme for this year’s forum is “Realizing Circular Societies Towards Achieving SDGs and Carbon Neutrality in Asia-Pacific,” focusing on advancing circular economy practices.
Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, highlighted that a key outcome of this year’s forum will be the adoption of the “Jaipur Declaration” on the final day. This declaration will provide a framework for developing 3R and circular economy policies from 2025 to 2034, building upon the Hanoi Declaration (2013-23). The declaration is voluntary and non-binding.
An India Pavilion will be featured at the forum, showcasing India’s significant achievements in the 3R and circular economy sectors. This pavilion will include exhibitions from 15 key line ministries and national missions, demonstrating India’s comprehensive approach to sustainable development. Additionally, a compendium featuring 100 best practices on 3R & Circular Economy will be released during the forum, including 11 case studies from Jaipur.
The forum will serve as a platform for exchanging best practices and guiding government authorities in the Asia-Pacific region on integrating 3R principles—reduce, reuse, recycle—and circularity into policies. The previous forum was held in Cambodia in 2023, while India last hosted it in Indore in 2018.
The event promises to be a significant gathering for sharing insights and strategies, aiming to transition economies from a linear take-make-dispose model to a more sustainable circular economy.
